Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Sat, Jun 6: Dallas Pride 2026 Thu, Jun 11: The Magic of
Mermaids
Sat, Jun 13: CAC Birthday Bash
Sat, Jun 13: Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration
Fri, Jun 19: Little Elm Juneteenth Concert Presented By Cowboy Car Wreck
Fri, Jun 19: Juneteenth 2026
Sat, Jun 27: Ennis Freedom Fest in the Park
Sat, Jul 4: Fireworks on Main 2026
Wed, Jul 15: Hamilton
Fri, Jul 17: James and the Giant Peach Jr. |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: "The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place." "Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little. "And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip. I know
you don't mean to lay that on us. We can't do it all, so it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer." She was right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the most packed months of the calendar: Kids are out of school, families are ready for fun, and our communities respond. Each local organization gets to post its own events on our calendar for free, and many are featured in this newsletter, so what's happening is right there in front of
you. But I get it! And I hereby remove the guilt. Ego te absolvo. Of course, good families try to expose their kids to great things, but no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So make a family bucket list for Summer 2026. An easy way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 20; it has dozens of places to have fun this summer, even though you only vote for your top 3! And you should also use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer article for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars. Above all, go easy! Remember, summer is no time for grades! The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse
Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
Please click through to our 2026 survey to vote for your top 3 places to take kids... it will be used to compile our 2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the area. Voting is live through June 20; believe me, winning a place on the Top 20 list matters to the people who create
amazing family-friendly experiences. Take 3 minutes to choose your favorites as your way of saying thank you... and use the list to build your summer bucket list at the same time! |
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We offer a variety of fun and educational themes for Campers aged 3 - 8! Campers will be immersed in the Spanish language and culture while enjoying hands-on activities related to each camp's theme. Full and part-time programs are available to meet your needs.
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Make a splash at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium during this magical limited-time Mermaid event! Watch real Mermaids swim alongside sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles in Texas’ only 360° Ocean Tunnel. Meet a Mermaid on land, snap a photo, and hear enchanting tales inside the Mermaid Grotto. This immersive experience is included with general admission on select dates: June 11–15 and June 18–22. Be sure to select an event date when booking to dive into the fun!
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Kroger Delivery helps busy families reclaim time and reduce stress by delivering fresh groceries and household essentials straight to the doorstep, within the one-hour timeframe that fits your busy schedule. Conveniently shop from your phone to add favorite items, reorder past products, and save with digital coupons. A Boost membership provides fee-free delivery on qualifying orders and extra fuel rewards, to keep costs predictable. Refrigerated trucks preserve freshness for produce, dairy, and frozen items, while professional drivers handle everything right to your doorstep. Visit Kroger.com to enjoy the convenience of delivery without sacrificing quality for fresh, making weeknight dinners, packed lunches and healthy snacks quick and easy.
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A tale as old as time: opposites attract and love is in the air. All is well...until the families get involved. June 4-6 and 11-13. THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and a dilemma that’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met.
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Aloha! Join us for a tropical-themed Kids Night Out—no passport required. During this 3-hour class, kids will explore Hawaiian-inspired flavors while cooking a fun and delicious menu. Chefs will make Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs with Sweet Polynesian Sauce, Hawaiian Pasta Salad, and Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins. It’s a hands-on evening full of cooking, fun, and island vibes. A hui hou (until we meet again)!
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Grab your lawn chairs and join us for Neighborhood Movie Night on Friday, June 5! Bring the whole family out for an evening of movies, food trucks, a mobile library, and fun in the neighborhood. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:30 p.m. under the stars!
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The Colony Summer Clubhouse is back! Our four-month summer series showcases performances such as magic shows, animal presentations, sing-along storytelling and much more! All performances take place inside The Colony Recreation Center Gymnasium. Bring your friends and family, all ages are welcome. Seating opens at 9 a.m. so be sure to come early and snag a front row spot!
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Get ready to celebrate rainbows! On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Dallas Pride Festival and Parade will move to the heart of Downtown Dallas, taking over four major parks and introducing the event's first-ever sunset parade. The 2026 celebration promises a "lighted extravaganza of rainbows," transforming the city center into a hub of inclusivity and joy. The Festival will kick off at 11:00 a.m., spanning Main Street Garden Park, Pacific Plaza, Harwood Park, and Pegasus Plaza.
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Amped Obstacles Grand Opening Extravaganza is a high-energy community event celebrating the launch of our brand-new ninja warrior gym and indoor playground in Grand Prairie, TX. Guests can enjoy obstacle course experiences, open play, giveaways, local vendors, and family-friendly activities designed for all ages and fitness levels. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the facility, meet the team, and experience one of the most exciting new destinations for kids, families
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Join us for our fifth annual spectacular kickoff to summer! Visit with the Library and other City, community and business partners. This free family-friendly event will have summer reading sign-ups, games, crafts, a petting zoo, snacks and more. This event takes place on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Hall Annex, located at 6804 Main St. Please note that the Library will be closed on June 6 for this special event.
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Bring your fishing poles, rods and reels, sunscreen and lawn chairs, and come experience the joy of fishing. Bait and tackle will be provided along with a limited number of rods and reels. Supplies will be provided on a first come first serve basis, so plan to arrive early!
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Join us for a day of celebration, community, and pride! McKinney Pride festival is McKinney's Annual Celebration of Love, Equality & Community.
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So much happened before Dorothy dropped in. WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
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Wander through a luminous world of imagination and see the wild in a whole new glow. Explore larger-than-life lanterns and towering sculptures inspired by wildlife and nature. Along the way, immerse yourself in captivating performances and interactive experiences – making each night an illuminating adventure!
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Reading America's past, writing our future. Celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, Dallas Style. Complete your Amazing Race for Independence Passport with badges earned by attending events, visiting exhibits, and reading along with our monthly book club.
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Dallas area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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The Dallas Area's Pick-Your-Own Fruit Listed below are farms in and near Dallas that offer pick your own fruits, berries, and vegetables. And... to make the most of your experience, check out our
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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